Silver Lining

If you are older than six, you are probably aware of the turmoil surrounding President Trump, Elon Musk, and the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) efforts to cull the Government's workforce. You can't look at any mainstream media site, listen to any broadcast, or even peruse social media without someone at least referencing the disarray surrounding DOGE's efforts.

As someone who has undergone a significant change of employment in the last few months, I can empathize with those who are suddenly without work. But rather than try and solve the issue for you, let me instead describe the silver lining I have discovered amidst the chaotic clouds.

First, separating from my previous employer has given me perspective. Before, I would think nothing of combining a more-than-40-hour work week with a working weekend. The joke was that the company let me work from home two days a week: Saturday and Sunday. But since I was released from that job, I haven't worked a long day or 7-day week for over 3 months. I still take vacations, take my grandkids for "experiences of a lifetime," and contribute significantly work, and while my standard of living hasn't changed, my quality of life has skyrocketed.

Second, as a Christian who has been extremely blessed over my lifetime, I have been given few distinct opportunities to trust in God's goodness. These last few months have been exactly that - an opportunity to trust, to exercise my faith. It is one more in a list of waypoints about which I can testify to how God has blessed me. Everything from the near miss car accident when I was 7 to safe harbor for 5 years in Iraq and Afghanistan, to His cradling me in His hands these last few months. He offers opportunity to prove my faith - and He never fails.

Third, sometimes change is good. Sometimes change is necessary. The Bible instructs us to rest, to recuperate, and to reset. Genesis talks about God's choice to rest on the seventh day of creation. Exodus and Deuteronomy teach us about Sabbatical every 7th year. And Leviticus talks about the Year of Jubilee - a 50th year celebration of freedom. These concepts are critical in living a healthy lifestyle.

So, after 14 years of hard charging, 120+ hour pay periods, "working vacations," and putting my family second, I'm taking a Sabbatical. God tested me for 40 days, and again proved Himself worthy of my trust. But He also has given me the opportunity to rest, recuperate, and reset here in 2025, and I'm taking it.

And that, Servant Leader, is the silver lining. Despite everything we see in the news, the turmoil over layoffs, the lawsuits by labor unions, the lambasting by one political party or the other, for some of us, the answer is, "Take a Sabbatical." Look at where you are, where you've come from, and where you really want to go. Maybe it's time for a change.

And if you choose to stay the course, do so with grace. There is so much negativity in today's world that it's hard to remember that talking head is a human, with human cares and concerns.

Be kind.

Seek the silver lining.